Audio connector
An audio connector has a base having a center socket. A top of the base has a receiving groove at a side of the socket, and a fixing slot. The receiving groove has a first opening for intercommunicating with the socket. The fixing slot intercommunicates with the receiving groove through a second opening. A resilient switch contact has a resilient arm accommodated in the receiving groove. A free end of the resilient arm is bent to form an arch-like resting end with a slot extending from the beginning to a substantial middle thereof. A connecting piece corresponding to the slot and in alignment with the resilient arm is accordingly formed. A stationary switch contact has a resting arm extending into the receiving groove through the second opening, with a distal end facing the connecting piece for connecting with the connecting piece when the resting end is pressed.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an audio connector, and particularly to an audio connector having a set of switch contacts.
2. The Related Art
Referred to U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,529 describes an audio connector having an insulated case, an inner and outer contact and a slide. The insulated case has a central socket, and a first and second inner recess that communicates with the central socket. The second inner recess has a guide channel. The inner contact is mounted in the first inner recess and selectively protrudes into the central socket. The outer contact is mounted in the second inner recess, and has an outer resilient contact, a resilient switch contact and a stationary switch contact. The outer resilient contact selectively protrudes into the central socket. The resilient switch contact has a distal end that aligns with the guide channel and connects with the stationary switch. The slide is mounted movably in the guide channel and is pressed into the central socket by the resilient switch contact. When a plug is inserted into the central socket, the slide is pressed to push the distal end of the resilient switch contact to disconnect from the stationary switch. However, after a long-term use, the resilient switch contact may occur elastic deformation, under the condition of the plug inserted and removed frequently, so that the distal end of the resilient switch contact can not return automatically to connect the stationary switch contact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an audio connector. The audio connector adapted for receiving a plug has an insulating housing having a base. The base has a center socket for receiving the plug. A top of the base has a receiving groove at a side of the socket, and a fixing slot at a side of the receiving groove opposite to the socket. The receiving groove has a first opening for intercommunicating with the socket. The fixing slot intercommunicates with the receiving groove through a second opening. A resilient switch contact mounted to the insulating housing has a resilient arm accommodated in the receiving groove. A free end of the resilient arm is bent to form an arch-like resting end with a slot extending from the beginning to a substantial middle thereof. A connecting piece corresponding to the slot and in alignment with the resilient arm is accordingly formed. A stationary switch contact fixed in the fixing slot has a resting arm extending slantingly and entering the receiving groove through the second opening, with a distal end facing the connecting piece with a predetermined distance. The resting end projects into the socket through the first opening and is capable of being elastically pressed by the inserted plug to bring the connecting piece to connect with the distal end of the resting arm.
As described above, since the arc-shaped resting end is apart from the connecting piece and projects into the socket. When the plug is inserted into socket, the connecting piece is able to connect with the distal end under the condition of the resilient arm extruded to move a short distance. Such connection structure reduces the deformation of the resilient arm and prolongs the use lift of the resilient switch contact.
The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to
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When the plug is inserted into the socket 12 and deflects the resting end 35 elastically, the connecting piece 36, correspondingly, is moved to connect with the distal end 241 of the resting arm 24, thereby achieving the electrical connection between the stationary switch contact 2 and the resilient switch contact 3. When the plug is removed from the socket 12, the resting end 35 returns an original position automatically. The connecting piece 36 is brought to disconnect the distal end 241 of the resting arm 24.
As described above, since the arc-shaped resting end 35 is apart from the connecting piece 36 and projects into the socket 12. When the plug is inserted into socket 12, the connecting piece 36 is able to connect with the distal end 241 under the condition of the resilient arm 34 extruded to move a short distance. Such connection structure reduces the deformation of the resilient arm 34 and prolongs the use lift of the resilient switch contact 3. Furthermore, the stationary switch contact 2 and the resilient switch contact 3 are simple and compact, which are easy to manufacture and convenient to assemble.
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. An audio connector adapted for receiving a plug, comprising:
- an insulating housing having a base, the base having a center socket for receiving the plug, a top of the base having a receiving groove at a side of the socket, and a fixing slot at a side of the receiving groove opposite to the socket, the receiving groove having a first opening for intercommunicating with the socket, the fixing slot intercommunicating with the receiving groove through a second opening;
- a resilient switch contact mounted to the insulating housing, and having a resilient arm accommodated in the receiving groove, a free end of the resilient arm being bent to form an arch-like resting end, with a slot extending from a beginning to a substantial middle thereof, a connecting piece corresponding to the slot and in alignment with the resilient arm being accordingly formed; and
- a stationary switch contact fixed in the fixing slot and having a resting arm extending slantingly and entering the receiving groove through the second opening, with a distal end facing the connecting piece with a predetermined distance;
- wherein the resting end projects into the socket through the first opening and is capable of being elastically pressed by the inserted plug to bring the connecting piece to connect with the distal end of the resting arm.
2. The audio connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient switch contact has a rectangular holding slice fixed in the base, a contacting arm is extended slantingly and upwardly from a short side of the holding slice and located above the top surface of the base, the resilient arm is extended outwards from a long side of the holding slice.
3. The audio connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resilient arm slants towards a same side as the contacting arm with respect to the holding slice, and stretches parallel to the holding slice.
4. The audio connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base has another fixing slot located at the side of the receiving groove opposite to the socket same as the fixing slot for fixing the stationary switch contact therein, the another fixing slot is parallel to the receiving groove and communicates with the receiving groove for receiving the holding slice.
5. The audio connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary switch contact has a fixing slice mounted in the fixing slot, the fixing slice has a first section and a second section extended perpendicularly from an end of a side of the first section, forming an L shape, the resting arm is extended outwards from a side of the second section where the first section is connected.
6. The audio connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein a side of the first section opposite to the second section is extended obliquely to form a contacting arm located above the top surface of the base, the resting arm is extended obliquely towards a same side as the contacting arm with respect to the first section, forming an acute angle therebetween.
7. The audio connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient arm and the resting arm are strip shape.
7108529 | September 19, 2006 | Huang |
Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 17, 2009
Date of Patent: Nov 16, 2010
Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Tu-Cheng, Taipei Hsien)
Inventor: Sheng-Nan Yu (Tu-Cheng)
Primary Examiner: Javaid Nasri
Attorney: Cheng-Ju Chiang
Application Number: 12/562,044
International Classification: H01R 29/00 (20060101);